Greg Otto welcomes everyone to the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA)’s panel discussion of the current state of design and design tools. Otto introduces the first speaker, Marcelyn Gow.

Jeffrey Kipnis and Eric Owen Moss discuss the importance of designers anticipating what will be technological feasible, stressing the element of wonder or surprise as a core value. To a question about whether new tools help or hinder this wonder, Moss argues it’s a question of seeing where the tools haven’t been. Kipnis suggests that new tools never quite solve the problem they were designed to address, but, rather, create a new mode of practice.

Jos? Oubrerie shows the audience drawings given to him by Le Corbusier, and his own sketches–some produced as he addresses the audience–to explain the process behind the Church of St. Pierre in Firminy. He stresses the importance of maintaining the church’s original design, while solving problems using contemporary technology. He also discusses his own idependent work.

Eric Owen Moss introduces Wolf Prix, presenting various Wolves that together make up his personality. Prix discusses his interest in architecture as society rather than surface and form. He reccomends resistance to tools and technologies that push too narrowly in one direction. He argues that virtual public spaces without a physical component are not truly public. Prix presents a series of quotes, thoughts and ideas on complexity, problem solving, and rule-breaking.

Todd Gannon describes his interest in the phenomenon of obsession. He characterizes the unprecidented ability of contemporary youth to multitask as a new kind of hyper-attention. He attributes this to advances in technology and especially real time feedback loops. He talks about his interest in form and surface problems and the idea of translating linguistic techniques to material form. He discusses his interest in a surface that organizes itself in terms of coded form and language. Gannon presents a few of his own projects, stressing the ability to come up with creative ways of working within economic constraints. He argues that media can create transparency in ways which is seldom explored.

Todd Gannon describes his interest in the phenomenon of obsession. He characterizes the unprecidented ability of contemporary youth to multitask as a new kind of hyper-attention. He attributes this to advances in technology and especially real time feedback loops.

Volkan Alkanoglu presents his personal inspirations from architecture, art, photography, and fashion, including Malevich’s Black Square and Archigram’s Walking City. Alkanoglu stresses the use of narrative and storytelling in the design process. He presents projects he worked on at Foster and Partners, Future Systems and Asymptote. He discusses in detail Asymptote’s exhibition spaces for the 2009 Venice Biennale. Alkanoglu traces his interest in machines and robotics back to his school work at the Bartlett. He shows a series of drawings whose techniques were inspired by early investigations into robotics.